All signs point to Bel Air being the team to beat in Harford County.
The Bobcats return two-way threat Julien Horton, the 2023 Aegis Player of the Year; Joël Tristan Ouandji Nana, who broke onto the scene with a powerful junior campaign last fall; and quarterback Patrick Sullivan, eager for his last dance. But take it from Bel Air coach Eric Siegal when he says, “Every team we play in the UCBAC is well coached and it’s a battle every Friday night.”
In early September, it’s hard to pin down one team entirely incapable of stringing a magical run. Last year that was Havre de Grace, turning a 6-6 record into a state quarterfinal appearance. Could another school find similar lightning in a bottle?
Here’s a look around the county (Editor’s note: not all teams responded to requests for information):
Aberdeen
Coach: Kaleb Myers, first year
Last year: 1-8
Top returners: Seniors Terrez Boothe (S/WR), Kelsyn Harris (QB), Tristyn Slogosky (DL) and Cameron Williams (LB); juniors Aaron Dixon (LB), Sean Green (OL) and Chase Saunders (DL); and sophomore Xzaiver Whittington (OL/DL).
Newcomers to watch: Senior Cameron Allen- Jones (LB/RB); sophomores Nepha’Tali McCown- Soto (DB) and Lennox Morris (OL); and freshman Jovan Kenion (WR).
Coach’s outlook: “Above .500, contending for division champions.”
Bel Air
Coach: Eric Siegel, sixth season
Last year: 6-5, regional semifinalist
Top returners: Seniors Michael Graham (OLB/WR), Evan Freeney (LB/TE), Matthew Valente (OL/DL), Joël Tristan Ouandji Nana (RB/LB), Julien Horton (WR/DB), Nathan Calamita (LB/OL), KJ Wood (DB /WR), Hayden Meyers (LB/TE), DJ Collier (ATH) and Patrick Sullivan (QB); junior Jonathan Gettle (OL/DL) and sophomore Owen Reilly (OL/DL).
Newcomers to watch: Senior Lamar Watts (DB/WR); juniors Mikel Abeid (DB/WR), Zach Lipscomb (LB) and Nathan Finnigan (RB/LB); sophomores Dylan James (RB/DB) and Kayden Blaine (OL/DL); and freshman Malik Davis (LB).
Coach’s outlook: “The Bel Air Bobcats coaching staff is very excited about the mix of youth and senior leadership that has been displayed so far this year. We like the progress that has been made so far and are excited with where the team is headed. We look forward to improving every single day and watching these student athletes compete this season.”
C. Milton Wright
Coach: Larry Ashman, third season
Last year: 5-4 record
Top returners: Seniors Kyle Ashman (QB), Alex Curry (OL/DL), Harlem Palmer (RB/DB) and Nathan Whetzel (OL/DL); juniors Mike Holcomb (WR/DL), Baxton Marchand (K), Jaxon Simms (RB/LB) and Cameron Stepp (OL/DL).
Newcomers to watch: Seniors Anthony Camarote (WR/DB), Landon Krepps (WR/DB), Hunter Nolan (OL/DL) Brayden Ruby (WR/DB) and Zach Curry (OL/LB); juniors Matt Sampson Jr. RB/LB and Cameron Wheeler Jr. WR/DB; sophomores Anthony Frank (RB/DB) and Adrew Ringgold (RB/LB).
Coach’s outlook: “This will be a rebuilding year for the Mustangs. We graduated 26 seniors with a lot of those players playing both sides of the ball. We are excited for the talent coming up from our JV program. We will be relying on senior QB Kyle Ashman (two-year starter) to lead our offense with his arm and leadership on the field. Our defense looks to create turnovers and get off the field on fourth downs. The coaching staff has been very pleased with the “buy in” from the team so far. The team has worked very hard during both offseason workouts and preseason camp. The coaching staff is very excited to get this season started.”
Edgewood
Coach: Keith Rawlings, fourth season
Last year: 9-2, regional semifinalist
Top returners: Seniors Shane Tressler (OL/LB), Quintin Williams (WR/DB), Darius Fleming (RB/LB/DE), TJ Wesson (WR/LB), Jeremiah Smith (WR), Wroto Quiah (WR/LB), Tyrone Williams (H/LB), Malachi Coates (LB), Jesiah Stokes (OL/DT), Terrence Powell (OL/DL) and Miles Putney (OL); juniors Kyion Greenwood (ATH), Jayden Harvin (RB/DB), Charles Brown (WR/DB) and Joey Bynaker (OL).
Newcomers to watch: Seniors Jaydon White (TE/DE), Amir Shaw (WR/DB), Tavon McLean (OL) and Arthur Johnson (OL/DL); juniors Michael Robinson (QB/FS), Tevonte Williams (WR/DE), Jarrod Burton (TE), Mikhail Georges (RB/LB), Khalil Brice (H/LB), Brian Guerrero (DE/QB), Dezekiah Bailey (OL/DL) and Karlito Richardson (DE); sophomore Isaiah Deyo (OL/DE) and freshman Malachi Robinson (WR/LB).
Coach’s outlook: “In 2024 for our team to be successful, we will have to be explosive on offense, control the ball and limit our turnovers. On defense we will look to create turnovers, pressure our opponents, play fast and make sure we tackle well. Our special teams must be solid. We must control field position and limit big plays by our opponents.”
Fallston
Coach: Keith Robinson, fourth season
Last year: 7-5, regional finalist
Top returners: Seniors Evan Alcide (RB/LB), Dom Foster (QB) and Kael Morosko (LB); juniors Oliver Rueckert (DL/Edge), Zach Loewe (WR/DB) and Cole Shea (OL/DL).
Newcomers to watch: Senior Hunter Solwold (TE/H/LS) and Mike Griffin Jr. (QB/ATH).
Coach’s outlook: “Fallston returns eight starters on the defensive side of the ball. Last year’s unit led the county with 19 interceptions total. This unit has to be stout early on, while a young offensive line jells. The offense returns a veteran group of skill players and we expect to very much be in the race for the Susquehanna title.”
Harford Tech
Coach: Brad Hunt, second season
Last year: 7-4, state quarterfinalist
Top returners: Seniors Joshua Baer (LB), Karon Evans (DB/WR), Luke Kelley (DL/OL), Blake Hott (DL/OL), Jamaal Pearl Jr. (RB/LB), Brian Vickers (DL/TE), Benjamin Welzenbach (DL/OL) and Trenton Wrzosek (LB/WR); juniors Maurice Butler (DB/RB), Stephen Kelley II (QB) and Shamari Whitmore (RB/DB).
Newcomers to watch: Senior Aaron Wilson (LB/TE), juniors Brennan Appleby (DB/WR), Robert Crane (LB/RB), Christian Donlick (DB/WR), Bryce Rowland (DB/WR) and Elijah Walker (DL/OL); sophomores Bradley Cloude (DL/OL) and Deacon Milton (LB/TE).
Coach’s outlook: “We are look to continue to be a competitive team in a tough conference.”
Havre de Grace
Coach: Brian Eberhardt, eighth season
Last year: 6-6, state quarterfinalist
Top returners: Seniors Bryce Baur (TE/DE), Joe Spencer (OL/DL) and Brandell Stokes (ATH); juniors Kevin Kinsey (WR/DB) and Miles Miller (WR/S).
Newcomers to watch: N/A
Coach’s outlook: “We are a young team looking to build off of some late season success from last year.”
John Carroll
Coach: Mark Modeste, third season
Last year: 7-5, MIAA B Conference finalist
Top returners: Senior Myles Britt (OL/DL), Ryan Kruk (WR/DB), Oliver Bayliss (OL/DE), Jackson Harcarik (Slot/CB) and Mason Bezold (RB/LB).
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Cam Durbin (RB), Nate Shutt (LB/RB), Logan Rogers (LB/RB), Buster Barger (WR/S) and Anthony Modeste (QB); sophomores James Westervelt (TE/DE), Parker Miller (LB/TE) and Carson Shoffner (RB/CB).
Coach’s outlook: “We are young but talented. The mix of a few returning senior starter, handful of really strong transfers and a talented group of younger players gives us a chance to create a great year for JC. We feel it will be a process but this is a really hard working group that will turn some heads as the season progresses.”
Joppatowne
Coach: Albert Goode III, third season
Last year: 2-7
Top returners: Senior Ashton Brown (MLB); juniors Xavier Stacker (OL/DL) and Ty’quon Billinger-bey (DB/WR).
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Anthony Hall (RB), Sharod Partlow (OL/DL), Elijah Winn (OL/DL), Daniel Hart (DB) and Dartanun Blakney (ATH); and freshman Tyrone Elee (OL/DL).
Coach’s outlook: “Excited to watch this team grow and compete this season.”
North Harford
Coach: Justin Martinek, sixth season
Last year: 5-5
Top returners: Seniors Donald Mullins (RB), Drew Keener (K/DL), Zachary Mullins (WR/LB), Andrew Sharff (OL/DL), Holden Young (RB/DL), Brendan Zang (QB), Nolan Clark (WR/DB) and Peyton Baldwin (WR/DB); juniors Xavier Dunaway (OL/DL) and Luke Bylen (WR/DB).
Newcomers to watch: Senior Matthew Carico (OL/DL); juniors Jason Brady (WR/DB) and Mason Leizear (OL/DL); sophomores Gavin Powell (RB/LB), Ben Liebel (RB/LB) and Jordan Lucas (QB/LB).
Coach’s outlook: “Build off of last year’s improvement and keep moving forward.”
Patterson Mill
Coach: Dave Huryk, third season
Last year: 9-2, regional semifinalist
Top returners: Seniors Luke Plesniak (DL), RJ Wilhelm (RB/DB), Sanel Becirovic (OL/DL), Dylan Myers (OL/DL) and Deitric Jackson (LB); sophomore Brycen Hunter (QB).
Newcomers to watch: Senior Junior Council (WR/RB).
Coach’s outlook: “We have a very tough schedule within the UCBAC and many teams have gotten better this offseason. We hope to remain competitive with the top teams in the UCBAC by slowing down the game and controlling what we can control.”
